BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University football team used four interceptions and a strong first-half performance to hold off Western New England University for a 26-21 conference victory Saturday afternoon on homecoming at Dr. John W. Winkin Sports Complex.
The four interceptions for the Husson defense are the most by the Eagles since Nov. 11 of 2023 when they picked off Nichols College five times.
The Eagles improved to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play with the victory, while the Golden Bears fell to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in league action.
Husson's defense set the tone early, forcing turnovers on each of Western New England's first two possessions.
Junior Brayden Trombly intercepted Paul Gorry on the Golden Bears' opening drive, giving the Eagles possession at the WNE 46-yard line. Six plays later, senior quarterback Brody Gibson connected with senior Jacob Lenz for a 17-yard touchdown to give Husson a 7-0 advantage with 5:58 remaining in the opening quarter.
Freshman Melvyn Telisca came away with Husson's second interception just 19 seconds later, picking off Gorry at the Western New England 30.
The Eagles extended their lead early in the second quarter following a 10-play, 58-yard scoring drive. Sophomore Daniel Ruiz Cantu capped the possession with a three-yard touchdown run, giving Husson a 14-0 advantage with 13:33 remaining in the half.
Western New England answered midway through the quarter when Gorry connected with Kevin Acosta for a 22-yard touchdown, cutting the Eagles' lead to 14-7.
Husson needed just one play to respond.
Senior Brett Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to the Western New England five-yard line, setting up Ruiz Cantu's second touchdown of the afternoon. Ruiz Cantu punched it in from five yards out just five seconds into the possession, pushing the Eagles' advantage to 20-7 with 7:25 left before halftime.
The score remained 20-7 entering the third quarter before Husson's defense delivered the game's biggest play.
With Western New England driving deep into Husson territory late in the third, Telisca stepped in front of a Gorry pass at the Husson 15 and raced 85 yards for a touchdown. The freshman's second interception of the afternoon gave the Eagles a 26-7 lead with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter.
Husson's defense wasn't finished. On Western New England's next possession, sophomore Cooper McNamara intercepted Gorry at the WNE 48 and returned it five yards, giving the Eagles their fourth takeaway of the game.
The Golden Bears mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, beginning with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Gorry to Acosta. Acosta also caught the ensuing two-point conversion to trim Husson's lead to 26-15 with 11:10 remaining.
After forcing an Eagles punt, Western New England put together a 16-play, 94-yard drive that lasted more than six minutes. Corey Kilroy found John De Camps for a 29-yard touchdown with 2:17 left, pulling the Golden Bears within five, 26-21.
Husson received the ensuing kickoff at its own 43-yard line and successfully ran out the remaining 2:17 to secure the victory after a running into the kicker flag on fourth-down and five prevented the Golden Bears from getting a final opportunity.
Gibson finished 16-of-26 through the air for 143 yards and a touchdown without an interception, while Ruiz Cantu led the Eagles' rushing attack with 65 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Junior Caden Crocker hauled in a team-high seven passes for 50 yards, while Lenz finished with four receptions for a team-best 55 yards and a touchdown.
Davis provided a spark on special teams with 133 yards on three kickoff returns, highlighted by his 88-yard return that set up Ruiz Cantu's second touchdown.
Defensively, McNamara recorded a team-high 11 tackles to go along with his interception, while juniors Erik Menger and JT Wright added 10 tackles apiece. Telisca finished with two interceptions, including his 85-yard pick-six, while Trombly added an interception and five tackles.
Husson forced four turnovers in the victory and did not turn the ball over. The Eagles finished with 248 yards of total offense, including 143 through the air and 105 on the ground. Western New England totaled 344 yards, but its four interceptions helped Husson turn the Golden Bears' mistakes into 13 points.
The Eagles also converted 7-of-16 third-down opportunities and scored on three of their four trips to the red zone.
Husson will enjoy a well-earned bye week this coming week, before returning to the road on Oct. 17 when they head to New England College for a 12 p.m. contest.
